Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Fired Commentator Sparks Debate Over ‘Political Correctness’ in Christian Radio
A Christian radio talk-show host fired after questioning Roman Catholic beliefs on the air and fielding a caller's question about whether the late Pope John Paul II would go to heaven has sparked debate about whether...
NCC Leader Criticizes Planners of ‘Justice Sunday’
The head of the leading ecumenical organization in the United States on Tuesday decried a campaign labeling opponents of President Bush's judicial nominees as being against "people of faith." Bob Edgar, general...
Book Explores Religious Life of Teenagers
Contrary to many stereotypes, religion plays a significant role in the lives of many American teenagers, and parents' religious beliefs have a greater influence on teens than is generally believed, according to a...
Bush Says Death Penalty Consistent with ‘Culture of Life’
President Bush on Thursday said he sees no contradiction between his call to build "a culture of life" and his support for use of the death penalty. In his State of the Union address in February, Bush said, "Because a...
Enjoy Life and Quit Complaining
My pick of cartoons last week was done by Mike Luckovich of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It shows a tax preparer asking a couple in his office: "Would you like your refund automatically sent to your gas station?"...
Senate Leader Joins Religious Simulcast Decrying Senate Filibuster
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Southern Seminary President Al Mohler are among speakers scheduled for an April 24 simulcast to portray Senate Democrats blocking President Bush's judicial nominees as "against...
Louisiana Baptist Leader Seeks Direct Control Over State Newspaper
The Louisiana Baptist Convention's new executive director has asked trustees of the Baptist Message to consider returning the newspaper, which has operated under a separate board since 1963, to direct control of the...
Place in History for the New Pope
I am blessed to have many Catholic friends in my community. At times we have engaged in discussions about faith matters and we have even had opportunity to worship together. Last year Trinity Baptist Church and...
Controversial Businessman Offering Millions to Churches
A man once known for barnstorming the country trying to sell dealerships for a machine he claimed would make free electricity from air is now offering churches grants up to $50 million to help bring "Christian values"...
CBF ‘Partner’ Says Proposed Funding Cap Could Jeopardize Ministry
A proposed funding cap on "partners" of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship could jeopardize the survival of Associated Baptist Press, two leaders of the national news service said in a letter April 8. A CBF Partner...
Teach Them How to Think
Some time ago, a survey by The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that each day, more than 3 million people get religious or spiritual material from the Internet. Today's numbers are no doubt much higher....
Cabbie Shares Philosophy Shaped by Communism
Whenever I arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, I always head straight to the taxi station for a ride to the hotel. Most of my taxi drivers haven't been chatty. But the cabbie I'll call Joe was. "How are you?"...
‘The Harsh Truth About Public Schools’
Bruce Shortt's book about public schools is endorsed by TV preacher James Kennedy; Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Seminary; and Southern Baptist fundamentalist leader Paul Pressler. The foreward to...
Baptist Church Consigns Pope to Hell
A Baptist church in east Tennessee drew media attention for displaying a sign implying the late Pope John Paul II is in hell. WATE-6 News in Knoxville on Monday reported on the marquee message outside Hilltop Baptist...
Dobson Compares Supreme Court to KKK
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, in a Monday broadcast decrying "activist" judges, compared the black-robed U.S. Supreme Court to the Ku Klux Klan. The guest on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio show was Mark...
SBC Leader Hopeful About Baptism Increase
The Southern Baptist Convention turned around a four-year decline in baptisms during 2004, encouraging LifeWay Christian Resources President Jimmy Draper "that the denomination may be heading in the right direction."...
BCE Executive Director Being Treated at Home
Baptist Center for Ethics Executive Director Robert Parham is recuperating at his home in Nashville, Tenn., one month after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Parham, 51, was hospitalized March 7 with a very low...
Campolo Predicts Backlash to Religious Right
The Southern Baptist Convention's "triumphalist" attitude after the victory of President George W. Bush is confusing the public about what it means to be a Baptist, evangelist Tony Campolo told a British newspaper....
‘Joan of Arcadia’ Faces Possible Cancellation
A religion-themed network drama faces cancellation if its ratings don't improve. "Joan of Arcadia," which airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, likely won't be renewed for a third season if its viewership doesn't spike as...
Up Close With Extreme Makeover
On Sunday and Monday evening, March 7-8, viewers nationwide watched as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" built one of their largest and most sophisticated homes to date. And that home, located in Center Point, Ala., was...
Paper Says Schiavo Case About Defense of Marriage
The Terri Schiavo case proves that conservative Christians pushing for Federal Marriage Amendment are actually anti-marriage, according to an investigative report on a pro-polygamy Web site. Mark Henkel, founder of...